After husband's suicide, Charo urges fans to reach out to loved ones about depression

Spanish singer/actress Charo is speaking frankly about the death of her husband, Kjell Rasten, who took his own life, and urging fans to reach out to their own loved ones who may be in trouble.

The singer referred to her husband of 40 years as the love of her life in a statement provided to USA TODAY. "There are no words to describe what we are feeling now," she said in the statement sent by her representative, Gabriel Reyes

Charo noted that Rasten's physical and mental health had declined in recent years due to bullous pemphigoid, an autoimmune disorder which causes chronic blistering of the skin, and the medications (including steroids) he was prescribed to treat it.

As a result, she said, Rasten, 78, became "very depressed. That, along with the many medications he needed to take, became too much for him."

Using her family's own grief as a teachable moment, she urged fans to make an extra effort to remind friends or relatives suffering from depression or other illnesses that they are loved.  

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"Please, if anyone you know and love is suffering from depression or illness, hold them close, tell them you love them with all your heart and that the world is better because they are in it," Charo urged. "Get any help you can. Suicide is not the answer."

Charo, whose real name is María del Rosario Pilar Martínez Molina Baeza, called Rasten "an amazing man, a great husband and the best father I could imagine to our son" and said he dedicated his life to her and their son.

Suicide Lifeline: If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) any time of day or night or chat online.

Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they dial 741741.